Therapy for Depression and Anxiety

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States.  Research has found that a majority of teens and adults will experience at least one depressive episode in their lifetime.  Although depression is quite treatable, many people miss the warning signs and symptoms.

Some of the most common signs of depression include:

• Loss of energy or motivation
• Irritability and anger (especially in teens)
• Suicidal thoughts*
• Hopelessness or helplessness
• Bouts of sadness or tearfulness
• Lack of interest or pleasure
• Unintended changes in weight or appetite
• Decreased sex drive

* Suicidal thoughts are common in people with depression and should be taken seriously.  If you or a loved one feel unsafe, call the Crisis Hotline (1-800-273-8255) or 911 for immediate assistance and seek the help of a therapist for treatment.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms like these, seek professional help.  Left untreated, depression can impact your career, your relationships, and your health.

Some anxiety can actually be helpful and healthy to keep you out of harm’s way, as long as you do not let the feeling paralyze you.

Many people struggle from unhelpful, unhealthy anxiety.  Some of the most common signs include:

• Frequent, intense worry
• Worrying about too many things
• Difficulty managing or controlling worry
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Fixation or obsession about what others think
• Using drugs or alcohol to cope
• Trouble with sleeping or relaxing

If you are experiencing symptoms such as these, you might be struggling with anxiety.  No one should have to live with so much fear and worry, including you.  Therapy can help you reclaim your life and restore your sense of calm and safety.

Anxiety and depression tend to make themselves worse over time.

Depression makes us see things in a more negative, critical way.  We put ourselves down and treat ourselves harshly. At times we tell ourselves that we are bad, broken, and unwanted.  This creates a deep sense of emotional burden and defeat.  The more we sit with negativity, the less motivated we feel to keep trying, and we become stagnant.  We stop working out and sometimes quit trying as hard at work or school.  We give up on our hopes and dreams for the future.  We can even become complacent in our relationships, withdraw from those around us, and become isolated and disconnected from the world around us.

Therapy for depression is designed to address these three issues. Therapists help you think more positively and have a realistic perspective.  We begin by encouraging you to take small steps toward your goals and live a healthier life, while supporting you to reconnect with yourself and others.

Anxiety also makes itself worse over time.  However, rather than feeding its own symptoms, anxiety tends to make itself worse through a process called the cycle of avoidance.

Anxiety is uncomfortable, and so naturally, we want to avoid it.  If we feel anxious about our credit card debt, we might avoid looking at the bills.  If we feel worried about having cancer, we avoid going to see the doctor.  If we feel overwhelmed at the end of the workday, we might try to escape with television or numb with drugs, food, or alcohol.  The relief that comes with avoiding anxiety is deeply rewarding, which means your brain learns to avoid again in the future by increasing the anxiety response.

Therapy for anxiety helps you break the cycle.  You can feel supported as you begin to face your fears.  You can learn to use healthy coping strategies for stress and anxiety management.  As you make progress and begin to live the life you want, the anxiety loses power.

You deserve a life free from depression and anxiety, and I want to help you get there.

All of my sessions are completely confidential and held online or in the privacy of my office here in Los Angeles, California.  Over the past three decades, I have worked with so many teens and adults who struggle with depression and anxiety, and I would love to work with you.  Our first session is all about getting to know each other and helping me understand your story and your goals.  You can count on having a consistent, stable, professional relationship to rely on as you make personal progress.

As a Jungian therapist, I pay special attention to the negative inner voice, which is a voice that is in all of us.  In Jungian terms, it is referred to as our “dark side.” It’s the side that we allow to sabotage us or stop us in our tracks.  We need to understand it, accept it, and then turn the inner voice around in order to live our best life.

As you make progress in therapy, you can learn to:

• Use mindfulness and other coping strategies
• Address whatever drives your depression and anxiety
• Reconnect with yourself and others
• Restore your sense of calm and confidence
• Manage suicidal thoughts
• Find freedom from unhealthy avoidance tendencies

Whether you are overwhelmed with worry, stricken with sadness, or simply looking to make your life better, I am here for you. I also specialize in helping people who work in the entertainment industry, as it can be an emotionally demanding work environment, and at times fueled by rejection.

Want to learn more about me? 

I would love to hear from you.

Phone: (323) 301-0083
Email: michellewebber@me.com

1600 Vine Street, #902, Los Angeles, CA 90028